Mounting apparatus for LCD panel

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to a copending application Ser. No. 11/557,108 entitled with “LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE”, filed at Nov. 7, 2006, and assigned to the same assignee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses for mounting liquid crystal display (LCD) panels thereon, and particularly to a mounting apparatus which can be adjusted to mount different size LCD panels thereon.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, in a portable computer, including but not limited to devices such as a notebook type personal computers, PDA apparatus and the like, a lid containing an LCD, which serves as a display unit to display a picture, is pivotably connected to a back end of a body. In the conventional portable computer, the lid with a certain width holds an LCD panel with a fixed corresponding width. However, the width of the LCD panel may be slightly different due to imperfections in the manufacturing process. When an LCD panel with a width slightly different to the fixed width is mounted to the lid, the fit may be forced possibly damaging the LCD panel.

What is needed, therefore, is a mounting apparatus which can adjustably receive different size LCD panels mounted thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mounting apparatus for liquid crystal display (LCD) panels is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting apparatus includes a bezel, a first fixing bracket mounted to the bezel for fixing a side of an LCD panel, a second fixing bracket mounted to the bezel, at least one sliding member slidable with respect to the second fixing bracket for fixing an opposite side of the LCD panel before being secured to the bezel, and a cover mounted to the bezel for enclosing the LCD panel therebetween.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting apparatus including a cover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, together with an LCD panel;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an enlarged view of a portion of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an isometric view of the cover of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, but viewed from another aspect;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an assembled view of the mounting apparatus of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, without the cover; and

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an assembled view of the mounting apparatus of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, together with the LCD panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a mounting apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention which can adjustably mount different size LCD panels thereon is shown. In this embodiment, the LCD panel is used for displaying alphanumeric or graphic computer data. The mounting apparatus includes a bezel <b>20</b>, a cover <b>80</b>, a first fixing bracket <b>22</b>, a second fixing bracket <b>26</b>, a first sliding member <b>30</b>, and a second sliding member <b>32</b>. The first sliding member <b>30</b> and the second sliding member <b>32</b> are positioned at opposite ends of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b>.

Referring also to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the bezel <b>20</b> includes two opposite sides <b>200</b>, <b>202</b>. A pair of fixing posts <b>204</b> each defining a screw hole (not labeled) extends up from the bezel <b>20</b> at an end of the side <b>200</b>. A pair of fixing posts <b>206</b> and a holding post <b>208</b> each defining a screw hole extend up from the bezel <b>20</b> at an opposite end of the side <b>200</b>. The side <b>202</b> includes a guiding pin <b>210</b> and a holding post <b>212</b> formed at opposite ends thereof, respectively. A plurality of locking portions <b>214</b> and hooks <b>216</b> are formed at a periphery of the bezel <b>20</b>. The bezel <b>20</b> defines an opening <b>218</b> therein.

The first fixing bracket <b>22</b> includes a body <b>220</b> defining a pair of apertures <b>222</b>, a fixing plate <b>224</b> perpendicularly extending from an end edge of the body <b>220</b>, and a flange <b>228</b> perpendicularly extending from a side edge of the body <b>220</b>. The fixing plate <b>224</b> defines a pair of fixing holes <b>226</b> corresponding to the fixing posts <b>204</b>. The flange <b>228</b> defines a guiding hole <b>230</b> corresponding to the guiding pin <b>210</b>.

The second fixing bracket <b>26</b> includes a body <b>260</b>. The body <b>260</b> defines a through hole <b>262</b> and a pair of slots <b>264</b> adjacent an end edge thereof, and a through hole <b>263</b> and a pair of slots <b>265</b> adjacent an opposite end edge thereof. A fixing plate <b>266</b> defining a pair of fixing holes <b>268</b> perpendicularly extends from the end edge of the body <b>260</b>. A flange <b>270</b> defining a locking hole <b>272</b> perpendicularly extends from the opposite end edge of the body <b>260</b>.

The first sliding member <b>30</b> includes a body <b>300</b>, a fixing plate <b>302</b> perpendicularly extending from an upper right side edge of the body <b>300</b>, and a limb <b>306</b> perpendicularly extending from a left end edge of the body <b>300</b>. The fixing plate <b>302</b> defines an elongated slot <b>304</b> therein, corresponding to the holding post <b>208</b>. The limb <b>306</b> defines an aperture <b>308</b> corresponding to the through hole <b>262</b>. A pair of tabs <b>310</b> perpendicularly extends from the limb <b>306</b> corresponding to the slots <b>264</b>.

The second sliding member <b>32</b> includes a body <b>320</b>, a fixing plate <b>322</b> perpendicularly extending from an upper right side edge of the body <b>320</b>, and a limb <b>326</b> perpendicularly extending from a left end edge of the body <b>320</b>. The fixing plate <b>322</b> defines an elongated slot <b>324</b> therein, corresponding to the locking hole <b>272</b>. The limb <b>326</b> defines an aperture <b>328</b> corresponding to the through hole <b>263</b>. A pair of tabs <b>330</b> perpendicularly extends from the limb <b>326</b> corresponding to the slots <b>265</b>.

An LCD panel <b>60</b> for being mounted to the LCD panel mounting apparatus defines a pair of screw holes <b>61</b> in each of two opposite sides thereof. Referring also to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the cover <b>80</b> includes a plurality of hooks <b>82</b> corresponding to the locking portions <b>214</b> of the bezel <b>20</b>, and a plurality of locking portions <b>84</b> corresponding to the hooks <b>216</b> of the bezel <b>20</b>.

Referring also to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref>, in assembly, the guiding pin <b>210</b> of the bezel <b>20</b> engages in the guiding hole <b>230</b> of the first fixing bracket <b>22</b>, and a pair of screws <b>340</b> is inserted through the fixing holes <b>226</b> of the first fixing bracket <b>22</b> to engage in the screw holes of the corresponding fixing posts <b>204</b>. Thus, the first fixing bracket <b>22</b> is mounted to the bezel <b>20</b>. A pair of screws <b>342</b> is inserted through the fixing holes <b>268</b> of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b> to engage in the screw holes of the corresponding fixing posts <b>206</b>, for mounting the second fixing bracket <b>26</b> to the bezel <b>20</b>. The tabs <b>310</b> of the first sliding member <b>30</b> slidably engage in the corresponding slots <b>264</b> of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b>. The tabs <b>330</b> of the second sliding member <b>32</b> slidably engage in the corresponding slots <b>265</b> of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b>. An adjustable receiving space is therefore formed between the bezel <b>20</b>, the first fixing bracket <b>22</b> and the sliding members <b>30</b>, <b>32</b>. The LCD panel <b>60</b> is accommodated at the receiving space via adjusting the sliding members, <b>30</b>, <b>32</b> to cause the receiving space having a suitable size for the LCD panel <b>60</b>. Most of the LCD panel <b>60</b> is exposed in the opening <b>218</b> of the bezel <b>20</b>. A pair of screws <b>92</b> is inserted through the apertures <b>222</b> of the first fixing bracket <b>22</b> to engage in the corresponding screw holes <b>61</b> of the LCD panel <b>60</b>. The first sliding member <b>30</b> and the second sliding member <b>32</b> are respectively moved leftward or rightward via the tabs <b>310</b>, <b>330</b> guided in the slots <b>264</b>, <b>265</b> of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b> to abut against the LCD panel <b>60</b>. A screw <b>94</b> is inserted through the through hole <b>262</b> of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b> and the aperture <b>308</b> of the first sliding member <b>30</b> to engage in the corresponding screw hole <b>61</b> of the LCD panel <b>60</b>. A screw <b>96</b> is inserted through the through hole <b>263</b> of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b> and the aperture <b>328</b> of the second sliding member <b>32</b> to engage in the corresponding screw hole <b>61</b> of the LCD panel <b>60</b>. The through holes <b>262</b>, <b>263</b> are dimensioned to allow extension of heads of the screws <b>94</b>, <b>96</b> therethrough. In this embodiment, the heads of the screws <b>94</b>, <b>96</b> are partially accommodated in the through holes <b>262</b>, <b>263</b> respectively. Then a screw <b>344</b> is inserted through the elongated slot <b>304</b> of the first sliding member <b>30</b> to engage in the screw hole of the holding post <b>208</b> of the bezel <b>20</b>. A screw <b>346</b> is inserted through the elongated slot <b>324</b> of the second sliding member <b>32</b> and the locking hole <b>272</b> of the second fixing bracket <b>26</b> to engage in the screw hole of the holding post <b>212</b> of the bezel <b>20</b>. The hooks <b>82</b> and the locking portions <b>84</b> of the cover <b>80</b> respectively engage with the locking portions <b>214</b> and the hooks <b>216</b> of the bezel <b>20</b>, thereby mounting the cover <b>80</b> to the bezel <b>20</b>.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiment described therein.